EVALUATION OF FIRST AND THIRD GENERATION SORREL FOR PLANT VIGOR

Sorrel, Hibiscus sabdariffa, has autogamous flowers that self-pollinate
prior to flower opening resulting in inbred varieties. Cross pollination of inbred plants
normally results in hybrid with vigor that out-perform both parents. Two varieties of red
sorrel, 'TTB', which is deep crimson and open, and a 'KDN', which is day neutral and
red, were use as parents. 'TTB' was late flowering with a crimson fruit and 'KDN' was
day-neutral with red fruit. The objective was to study two parental sorrel lines and the
F1 and F3 progeny to evaluate plant vigor for production, floral initiation, fruit color and
shape. Selection of plants from the F2 population were used to obtain seed for the F3
progeny. Plant vigor was determined by measuring plant height and number of
branches at two week intervals as well as recording when floral buds became visible.
Though the F1 population of 'TTB' χ 'KDN' had a trend of being taller than the parents, it
wasn't significant for plant height and branch development. The F3 populations were
significantly taller than the F1 and parent varieties. The F1 and F3 'TTB'x'KDN' plants
initiated flowers at the same time as 'TTB' which was two weeks later than 'KDN'.
However, the F3 line of 'KDN'x'TTB' initiated flowers at the same time as 'KDN'
indicating a new day neutral variety. Hybrid vigor can be obtained from specific
controlled crosses in sorrel. The day neutral characteristic can be recovered in F3
population where 'KDN' was the female parent. This research was funded through
USDA-NIFA- Insular Tropical Grant funds and USDA-NIFA-SCBG from the VI
Department of Agriculture.